TRAVEL AND IMMIGRATION TO FRANCE DURING COVID19 MEASURES

TRAVEL AND IMMIGRATON TO FRANCE DURING COVID19 LOCKDOWN

Among other uncertainties during this period of covid19 that we are living with since March 2020 is the question of the borders between the United States and Europe, and more particularly between the individual Member States of Europe and the United States. There has not been a harmonious harmonious handling of the European border by the Member States, demonstrating the fragility of the European Union and Schengen Space to come to agreement in a time of crisis. Here we shall take a brief and very imperfect look at the situation for travel and the administrative status of Americans in France during this difficult time.

Travel to France without a visa

Americans desiring to enter France or immigrate to France during this period of covid lockdown have to live with a good deal of uncertainty. While it is possible to enter the Schengen space by other means and comply with Schengen country quarantine periods before entering, American citizens may not take direct flights to France under normal circumstances during the covid19 measures in place. Nevertheless, a right of entry to France can be made by a waiver request by email to the Consulate of France.

Limited Visa Services

Furthermore, since the month of March, the services of VFS Global, who handle intake for visas at the Consulate of France, were initially closed, reopening on in July and only offering limited services for long stay visas for spouses and passeport talents applications. In order words, it is not yet possible to submit  long stay visitor’s visa requests at the VFS Global offices in the United States, although other Consulates, such as in London, are already issuing visitor’s visas. If you are an American citizen with a valid residency status in another country, it may indeed be possible to make a long stay visa application for France from outside of the United States.

Since passport talents long stay visas are still be issued during this time, prospective entrepreneurs, future hires in France, artists and other independent professionals still have options for professional immigration to France within the framework of the broad provisions of the passeport talents legislation introduced in 2016.

Issues at the Préfectures, particularly in Ile de France

Even prior to any mention of a virus epidemic, the Préfectures in Ile de France, with exception to the Paris Prefecture itself, responsible for registering residency card (carte de séjour/titre de séjour) applications and renewals, as well as naturalization requests, have been in complete disarray, unable to handle the backlog of requests, and providing no reliable methods to secure administrative appointments. Notwithstanding a concerted effort to establish on-line registration systems, thus far appointments are almost always unavailable on the online booking sites. The Paris Préfecture continues to operate rather well, and the appointments are scheduled to avoid excessive numbers in the waiting rooms of the Préfecture.

Travel with Children

Travel to and from France with children may be  problematic at the border or simply to board a plane, even if the parents have visas, unless the children are in possession of a circulation document (document de circulation pour étranger mineur), to be obtained at the Préfecture.

If you have more questions about your French administrative rights, please feel free to contact the offices of Haywood Martin Wise, or send an email to contact@parislawyer.fr

Among other uncertainties during this period of covid19 that we are living with since March 2020 is the question of the borders between the United States and Europe, and more particularly between the individual Member States of Europe and the United States. There has not been a harmonious harmonious handling of the European border by the Member States, demonstrating the fragility of the European Union and Schengen Space to come to agreement in a time of crisis. Here we shall take a brief and very imperfect look at the situation for travel and the administrative status of Americans in France during this difficult time.

Notwithstanding these temporary problems, France still provides for an open and liberal immigration system, particularly for family members and qualified professionals.

Please follow me for updates on the immigration conséquences of covid19 as regards France and the United States. I will provide other short articles on covid19 implications on visas to the U.S.A. and the continued effect of President Trump's Proclamation from June 22, 2020.